Agency cancels alcohol-permit hearing

FORT SMITH — A hearing scheduled between the Alcoholic Beverage Control agency and TempleLive, a Fort Smith music venue, was canceled.

An order issued by the agency to TempleLive canceled the hearing, which had been scheduled for June 11, with no further action to be taken.

TempleLive had planned to have a concert May 15, three days before the state Department of Health allowed large venues to reopen after closing them in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith issued a cease-and-desist order against Temple-Live May 12. Agents from the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division went to the venue on May 14 to revoke the venue’s alcohol permit.

TempleLive’s alcohol permit would be returned upon public assurance that the event would not proceed on the scheduled date, according to Wednesday’s order. TempleLive announced on the afternoon of May 14 that it was applying to move the show to May 18, when it was ultimately held. The permit was returned May 15 and is currently in good standing.

Scott Hardin, communications director for the state Department of Finance and Administration, said that when TempleLive’s permit was temporarily suspended May 14, the Alcoholic Beverage Control agency provided the venue a hearing date at which the suspension could be challenged before Division Director Doralee Chandler. However, the permit was returned on May 15, with the agency having no additional issue to litigate.

TempleLive had the option to attend the hearing, but Hardin said both parties determined June 10 that there was no need to proceed.